Panama at the World Cup: Everything you need to know

Panama make their second ever World Cup appearance in North America this summer, eight years after their historic debut in Russia.

With Panama vs England odds reflecting the scale of the challenge facing Los Canaleros in Group L, the Central American nation have used the intervening period to grow significantly as a footballing force, and they arrive in 2026 as a considerably more experienced and organised side than the one that faced England in 2018. Here is everything you need to know about Panama at the World Cup.

A historic debut in 2018

Panama’s qualification for the 2018 World Cup in Russia was one of the most celebrated moments in the country’s sporting history. They qualified for the first time by defeating Costa Rica 2-1 in their final qualifier in October 2017, with Roman Torres scoring the decisive goal deep into stoppage time to trigger extraordinary scenes of national celebration.

Their debut campaign in Russia placed them in Group G alongside Belgium, England, and Tunisia, and while they lost all three matches, the tournament experience was invaluable. A 3-0 defeat to Belgium in the opener was followed by the 6-1 loss to England, before a 2-1 defeat to Tunisia in the group stage finale.

The consolation throughout was Felipe Baloy’s goal against England, the first in Panama’s World Cup history, a moment that sparked celebrations among their supporters in Nizhny Novgorod that belied the scoreline around it.

How they qualified for 2026

Panama’s path to the 2026 tournament was more straightforward than their dramatic 2018 qualification, navigating two rounds of CONCACAF qualifying with relative authority. They topped their group in both the second and third qualifying rounds, finishing with a goal differential of plus fourteen across those stages.

Their progress reflected the maturity that has developed in the squad since 2018, with Panama reaching three CONCACAF Gold Cup finals, in 2005, 2013, and 2023, finishing as runners-up each time, and reaching the final of the 2024-25 CONCACAF Nations League. They arrive ranked 33rd in the world, a position that reflects genuine regional strength.

The coach

Thomas Christiansen has managed Panama since 2020 and is the longest-serving coach in the national team’s history. The Danish-born former forward, who holds Spanish citizenship and earned caps for Spain, was the Bundesliga’s top scorer in the 2002-03 season with Bochum, a detail that makes him one of the more unusual coaching appointments in the tournament.

His managerial career has taken him through Cyprus, England with Leeds United, and Belgium, before taking charge of Panama. He has implemented a possession-focused approach built on physical pressing and quick transitions through wide areas, giving the team a clear and consistent identity that was less evident in 2018.

Key players

Captain Aníbal Godoy is the heartbeat of the side. The 36-year-old San Diego FC midfielder holds the national record for international appearances with 159 caps, and his leadership and defensive intelligence give Panama their structural foundation. Adalberto Carrasquilla, named Best Player at the 2023 Gold Cup, provides the creative drive from midfield.

Amir Murillo, who plays for Marseille in Ligue 1, brings genuine European-level quality at right-back and is Panama’s most prominent club-level performer. In attack, Ismael Díaz, Cecilio Waterman, and José Fajardo provide the goals, with Waterman’s physical presence and pressing intensity making him a difficult forward to manage.

What to expect in 2026

Panama face Ghana on 17 June in Toronto, Croatia on 23 June also in Toronto, and England on 27 June at MetLife Stadium in New York. World Cup betting odds reflect England and Croatia as the strong favourites to progress from Group L, and Panama’s realistic objective is to perform creditably and demonstrate the growth of the programme rather than seriously challenge for a knockout stage place.

Christiansen has spoken about wanting to make history and improve on 2018. Given the quality of the opposition in their group, that is a significant challenge. But Panama are no longer a side that simply turns up to participate. They have earned their place at this tournament and they will be determined to show it.